Monday, March 26, 2018

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the
hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. . . Jesus knew
that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from
God and was returning to God.John 13:1a,3 NIV

Jesus knew who He was, fulling comprehending the magnitude of His deity, God’s purposes, and the purpose of His life on earth as the Son of God and Man. I could stop reading at that verse and meditate on it until Christ returns, and still not grasp the fullness of it.

But there is so much more here in this story of Jesus’ last hours before The Cross.

He was a man with no doubts about Himself. I’ve read entire books about achieving my authentic self. Many of us are taught to aim for self-realization, especially in some disciplines, such as psychology and counseling. The great aim of Jesus’ life was not self-realization, but the realization of

God’s purposes.

For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. John 6:38 ASV

I’ve read John 13:1-17 over and over for the past month. I am astounded by our Lord’s great humility and His love.

Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. John 13:1b

Jesus knew who would betray Him. That did not stop our Lord from washing Judas’ feet. He washed Judas’ feet, along with the other disciples’. Jesus loved him, also, even knowing. Knowing how He was loved greatly by the Father, and how the Father so loved the world, He loved generously and bestowed lavishly that great love on others. By His grace, by His mercy, through no merit of their own.

So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:4,5

He voluntarily did this menial task, an act of servitude and humility. When he had finished, he asked them if they understood what He had done for them.

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:14-17

This principal is easier to understand than it is to implement in real life action. By His own admission, Jesus gave us an example. Washing the feet was an ordinary daily task for these men. It was a physical act, a drudgery. It was something that needed to be done. If Christ could do this, then who are we to disdain to do even lowly tasks for the good of someone and the glory of God. Jesus gave us a great lesson of mutual love and esteem.

I am reminded of the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) who showed compassion for the stranger who was naked and beaten in the ditch. He bandaged his wounds, took him to an inn, and paid for his care. (I might note that he didn’t just pray for him or hand him a gospel tract.) He endeavored to alleviate his suffering by concrete actions, and, according to Jesus, was a neighbor to the man.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8 NIV

Thanks to Eileen DeCamp for her beautiful photography - dogwood tree

Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God. May God bless you with all spiritual blessings during this Holy Week 2018.

Monday, November 27, 2017

Who shall
separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35

A friend of mine was going through a series of disappointments and
setbacks. It seemed one thing after another went wrong in her life. She said to
me, “I am questioning God. Why is He letting these things happen to me? Doesn’t
He care about me?”

Her reaction is
understandable. In the midst of personal setbacks, tragedies, and hardships,
many people blame God for the situation and question His love. Yet, we cannot
ascribe the distress and disasters of this fallen world to a lack of God’s
love. We live in a time of His permissive will, and the
foolishness of man abounds in this sin-sick world. No one is spared misfortune.

But take heart.
God’s love has already been proven for God so loved the world that Hegave
His only begotten Son (John 3:16). God’s love was revealed through His mercy and grace
when He made a way for us as sinners, reconciling man to Himself through Jesus
Christ. God also gave the precious gift of the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter.
As followers of Christ, we can put our faith in the love of God and hope in the
promise of eternal life when we shall live and reign with Him forever. So
today, trust in His love and goodness, no matter the circumstances.

Nay, in all
these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37

When facing
difficult circumstances, meditate on how God demonstrated His love to the world
and to you personally in countless ways. Remember that your life is in His
hands and God’s purposes will be fulfilled.

And we know
that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose.Romans 8:28

A reminder with my morning cup of coffee

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So, that is the standard, “as
I have loved you.” There is no greater love; no higher standard that Jesus Himself.
The words of the Lord Jesus rebuke us. When we shun the annoying neighbor,
hurry away from the malodorous homeless man – the
words of Jesus rebuke us. The memory of His life and sacrifice is sufficient to
bring the rebuke.

Jesus gave that new commandment. Yet, can even training
of the most steadfast and severe cause us to feel and think and respond along
those lines naturally? Can a tiger change his spots? Man’s relationship to man
is certainly a mixed bag revealing the depths of the human heart from desperately
wicked to sublime saintliness.

But how in every moment of our lives – every crisis and
perplexity – do we manage to love as He loved? I would think it is only
possible if we become a new creature. Marvel not that I said to you, you
must be born again. Without the new birth, trying to live Jesus’ commandment
is a goal beyond our human grasp. As new creatures, born again of the Spirit of
God, we are enabled by the indwelling Holy Spirit to live in accordance to His
will. Then it is possible to form the mind of Christ. The ultimate refining comes
as we obey His commands and work into our character what God has given by His
grace.

The scribes asked Jesus which commandment was
the most important. Jesus answered. And you shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with
all your strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like,
namely this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other
commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30,31) When we live these
commandments, we will begin to love as He loved us.

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About Me

What defines me as a person--first and foremost my relationship with Christ. Then I have to say my children. I have six children, three sons and three daughters, whom I love with all my heart. I graduated college wanting to be a writer and a stay at home mom. After my divorce, I became a teacher and the writing became a once in a while thing. I have worked in education for the last 25 years. I've served as an English teacher, French teacher, counselor and librarian. Currently, I'm an adjunct English instructor at a community college. In 2008, I started writing again. Mostly I write about God in my everyday life, how to connect faith and figure out practical applications for Scripture in daily life. God's goodness gives me strength for each day. Let's encourage one another on this blog. And, by the way, I'm a Southerner, born in Georgia, and have lived in Martinez (suburb of Augusta, GA) for the last thirty years.